It would be effortless to consider that you can attach your gate wherever you desire with no opinion over design, features or gateway. However, there are numerous reasons why all 3 points are crucial to think about before having a gate installed. Gates can come in all shapes and sizes, which makes them perfect when utilised around your home.
There are 2 main styles of gate, one is your more traditional garden gate which can be utilised to access your garden from outside your home usually either from down the side of your home or the rear of your property depending on your location. The other style of gate is the more modern driveway gate which has evolved vastly over the last 10 years becoming automated with many different styles not available.
Below are 3 essential points you need to know before investing in a gate:
Gate maintenance and security for your home
Maintenance
Having spent your hard-earned money on the perfect gate for your home it's essential that you are ready to invest the time needed in order to protect your gate from the elements as your gate can be useful when protecting your home from unwanted visitors. All gates have a limited lifetime which is why it is so essential to take care of them from the start.
Virtually all gates will have had some sort of pressure treatment used to initially protect them from the environment which will protect the material from corrosion. However, these treatments will only last for a limited time as moisture and sunlight will gradually wear away the treatment over time depending on where your gate is been stored. This is why we highly recommend treating your gates annually to maintain a high level of protection all year round.
Security
Maintaining your gate is paramount if you want to protect your home from unwanted visitors. A gate can be one of the weaker parts of your garden which is why it’s essential to have the correct gate installed around your home.
Installing a larger gate and tall fencing around your garden is an intelligent move. But if you don't have to correct accessories added to your gate you might as well not have a gate at all. We recommend installing a hasp and staple lock to your gate as they fit almost all gates and when secured with a padlock are one of the best locks on the market this will make sure your gate is secured at all times.
Permission
If your fence or gate has not been installed recently it may be worth reviewing the planning permission and boundaries of your home to see if your fence and gate have been installed accurately. It's always worth checking that your fence has been correctly installed because otherwise you could be asked to take it down which comes at a cost.
Selecting your Gate
When choosing a gate for your garden many factors will influence your decision. These 4 factors: purpose, size, material and money will all be something you need to think about before ordering your gate. These days gates are either made from wood or metal some are a mix of both.
The purpose of your gate is the first thing that needs to be decided as this will influence the rest of your decisions:
Factor 1 is the intention for your gate.
There are two main types of gates one is the driveway gate the other is the garden gate both have their pros and cons and come in different materials and sizes to fit any home. Your driveway gate is potentially smaller and the more modern versions have become electric. Whereas the garden gate is considerably more simple and more frequently constructed from wood.
Factor 2 is the dimensions of your gate
The other aspects will be made considerably easier once you have determined what the purpose of the gate is. The dimensions of your gate will be much easier to decide as you will know what the intention of your gate is and where it's going to fit. Here at Hillsborough, all our gates are made to fit to get a quote simply fill out the form online. This makes it much easier to buy your gates online knowing they are made to fit.
Factor 3 is the materials for your gate
Now you understand where your gate is going and the dimensions for it. The decision for materials is important as it makes sure it is suitable for their purpose and long-lasting. As mentioned previously there are 2 varieties of materials that can be utilised for a gate which are wooden and metal. Both options are great and fit for various purposes.
Factor 4 is the expenditure of your gate
Costs do alter depending on the combination of materials and dimensions for the type of gate you want. Modern gates can be picked up from many of your smaller DIY chains relatively cheaply, in many cases for as little as £40. However, higher-quality metal gates can cost hundreds of pounds which will include more bespoke configurations.
All prices depend on the quality of the materials used we advise using our free online quote form so you can ask us any question you have, you could even send us photographs of existing gates or space for your gate and we will do our best to assist you in deciding what's best for your home.
Restoring a gate
Rather than going out spending lots of money on a brand new gate why not revitalise your old gate? Not only does it look better but it is also simple to do and will add a contemporary feel to your garden. The restoration of an old gate is not only simple but also much cheaper than going out and buying a new one.
The gate is most likely either rusting or pealing depending on how long it's been left untreated. We can have your gate looking brand new in 4 simple steps.
First, that rust has to go, by using a wire brush you can take off that flaky top layer with ease. Our favourite way to accomplish this is with a wire wheel, which can be attached to your drill. The wire wheel makes it much easier than doing it by hand saving you time and energy.
Second, now your wire brush has accomplished its job you should be left with a clean but uneven surface. To paint your gate, you will need a smooth surface to work on. This step make takes some time as every portion of your gate needs to be sanded down using medium grit paper until it is smooth and the wire brush marks have mostly gone.
Third, now the demanding tasks are out of the way it's time to focus on any of that leftover rust that just won't budge. We highly recommend using a rust converter as it is proven to get rid of rust and protect from further oxidising which will preserve your gate's life expectancy. You can easily apply a rust converter to your gate either through a spray or using a paintbrush.
Finally, you are on to painting so you will be required to apply an even coat of rust-inhibiting primer to your refurbished gate which adds to the protection of your gate. Make sure to let this dry before starting the next step. Once dry, apply a coat of rustproof paint evenly over the entire gate. Repeat this step until you are satisfied.
